Cloud Puppy returns in a second collection of fan and media-based adventures. This collection focuses on various types of gaming. In the first adventure, “Cloud Puppy and the S-Tier Games,” Cloud Puppy and her friend Berry Rose loves to play a simple farming game, Valley of Runes. Jack makes fun of their game, insisting that only “S-Tier” games, like those he and his brother play, are worth playing. It takes some gentle guidance from her mom and friends before Cloud Puppy can learn to enjoy what she likes without worrying about what other people like. Jack learns some lessons about being a friend – and being honest—as well. This adventure has 9 chapters and is the main focus of the book. It’s followed by two short adventures, both featuring Berry Rose, first in a Live Action Role Playing (LARPing) game and then with all their friends playing Valley of Runes.
Miller’s colorful artwork is front and center, creating unique fantasy characters—Cloud Puppy is a fluffy white cross between a cloud and a dog, Berry Rose is a teddy-unicorn with wings, Jack is a jackalope, and Mossquatch is a giant, moss-covered boulderand depicting them acting in believable, child-appropriate ways. This volume includes the character—s in lots of new settings, from video games to live action. In the video games, the screen shots are shown in lighter, pastel shades with simplified, slightly pixelated backgrounds to differentiate them from “real life.” More characters show up in the LARPing adventure, which happens outdoors, with lots of opportunities for fun costumes and colorful landscapes.
The colorful settings, quirky characters, and fun adventures all encapsulate various social-emotional learning opportunities with the overall lesson being similar to that of the first volume – everyone gets to enjoy things in their own way! Berry Rose steps outside her comfort zone and finds that others will respect her need for structure so she can have fun, but in return she needs to let them play in their own ways as well. Jack learns not to play mean tricks on his friends, even if they end well, and Mossquatch gets a little more confidence which each new adventure. Cloud Puppy; bouncy, excited, and enthusiastic, learns to stand on her own while still being kind to her friends and at the end all the kids are better friends for having learned more about each other, apologized for their mistakes, and tried new things.
While the first book isn’t necessary to read the second title, it does introduce the general cast of characters and explain how their world works. Younger elementary school students are the prime audience for this, especially those who love video games and other fandoms, but even older kids will enjoy the colorful art and goofy, sweet stories.
Cloud Puppy: Game On! By Kelly Leigh Miller Simon & Schuster Atheneum, 2025 ISBN: 9781665932158
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9), Middle Grade (7-11)
Kids’ graphic novel Camp Prodigy by nonbinary comic creator Caroline Palmer is about Tate Seong, who hears violist Eli Violet warming up before a classical concert and becomes inspired to play the instrument themself. With solid support from their family, Tate joins their school’s orchestra and attends the eponymous summer camp to improve their skills. Despite its intimidating name, the camp welcomes young players of all levels.
Tate soon recognizes Eli, who has decided to attend anonymously, and the two become friends. Tate learns about their own burgeoning nonbinary identity, makes new friends, and practices diligently to advance in their chair placement. Some of the other kids, like Maya, prefer to have fun and not stress out too much about excelling musically. Others, particularly Xin Liang, want to compete to be the best. Xin puts down other musicians with the intention of bettering the group as a whole and Tate eventually stands up to his antagonism. Tate figures out how to balance having fun with developing musically. Additionally, they gain the confidence to come out to their peers and family as nonbinary.
Palmer’s cartoony, jewel-toned style should appeal to kids. The dynamic art shows motion well and captures the wild energy of a kids’ summer camp. When the characters play their instruments, the music emerges as waving, swirling bars of notes. Impactful words, such as man, dude, bro, and pronouns are in big, bold letters. Coupled with the manga-style reaction panels, readers see how certain words and interactions affect Tate.
Camp Prodigy offers important lessons to an age group that, like Tate, feels internal and external pressure to succeed while they also receive messages to have fun and enjoy their youth. Should we have fun or compete? How can we work hard and take breaks to rest and reset? How do we confide in friends and discuss our feelings? How, when, and to whom should we come out? My favorite quote comes from Xin, who learns how to be a team player. He tells Tate, “ ‘I understand that you’re under pressure. Why are you trying to carry all of it on your own? Look at how many people are willing to share the load,’ ” (203). Tate reflects, “Oh, right. That’s the whole point of opening up to people. Friends…family… the people who care about you… when you’re scared or struggling… they’ll want to help. And you won’t be alone,” (204-205).
Add Camp Prodigy to your kids’ graphic novel collections and recommend to fans of middle-grade coming-of-age books like Drama by Raina Telgemeier or the Berrybrook Middle School (Awkward) series by Svetlana Chmakova. Genderqueer kids and their families will be especially grateful for the nonbinary representation.
Camp Prodigy By Caroline Palmer Simon & Schuster Atheneum, 2024 ISBN: 9781665930376
Company Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11) Creator Representation: Nonbinary , Character Representation: Nonbinary,
This book is as sweet and fluffy as its main character, Cloud Puppy, not to mention her friends.
We first meet Cloud Puppy watching her favorite show, “Pretty Princess Warrior Dragonetta”. She’s a puff of white clouds with fluffy ears, tail, poodle-like fluffs around her arms and legs, and purple-blushed cheeks. She can float, make rainbows, and get stormy when she’s upset – but right now she’s super happy! Not only is there a new comic out from her favorite series, but she finds out at the comic store there’s going to be a convention and Kit Starlight, the author of her favorite series, will be there!
The main story, “Cloud Puppy’s First Comic Convention” features Cloud Puppy and her best friend, Berry Rose, a cuddly teddy in shades of peach with a unicorn horn and tail in darker orange, getting ready and attending the convention. They have a spat when they both want to dress up at the same character and it’s not until they arrive at the convention that Cloud Puppy starts to work out her feelings and communicate better with her friend. Their other friends are Mossquatch, a gray boulder-creature coated with green moss, and Jack, a fluffy brown jackalope, who attend with Jack’s big brother James. A short story follows, featuring Mossquatch, who is discouraged because no one recognizes their costume, However, with good friends to back them up, they end up enjoying the convention – and the costume contest – anyways.
The final sections are a loosely connected story, featuring Cloud Puppy drawing her own comic, then getting frustrated and upset by trying to meet the expectations and demands of all her friends who want to join in the fun. Finally, she figures out a way to be true to her own vision as well as include her friends and the book ends with their homemade comic and a tutorial for readers interested in making their own comics.
There are lots of sparkling tones and rounded or fluffy edges throughout the story. Mossquatch “boulders up” when they are upset, turning into a giant green boulder, while Cloud Puppy remains cute and fluffy even when she’s gray and stormy and showing her little fangs. The costumes are colorful with masks, fluffy skirts, crowns, and wings and most of the costumes at the show are similar, relying mainly on flowing robes and the occasional robot with only a few weapons present. Cloud Puppy is very emotional, getting quickly excited, upset, hurt, and then bouncing up again and enjoy her friends’ company and meeting her idols. The final story involves different styles as each of her friends includes their own artwork and both their comic and Cloud Puppy’s solo effort have muted colors and simple lines, giving it a realistically child-drawn appearance.
This new comic is as sweet and airy as cotton candy, but much more satisfying. It portrays a friendly fandom, with the young creatures admiring the skill of others and being inspired to try their own projects, as well as supportive friends who, even when they fall out, eventually patch things up and learn to communicate better.
It will appeal most to younger elementary kids, especially those who are interested in an upbeat fandom like Disney, My Little Pony, or Bluey. It would also be a great way for adults to introduce younger kids to the concept of fandoms and conventions.
Cloud Puppy By Kelly Leigh Miller Simon & Schuster Atheneum, 2024 ISBN: 9781665932127
the first adventure, “Cloud Puppy and the S-Tier Games,” Cloud Puppy and her friend Berry Rose loves to play a simple farming game, Valley of Runes. Jack makes fun of their game, insisting that only “S-Tier” games, like those he and his brother play, are worth playing. It takes some gentle guidance from her mom and friends before Cloud Puppy can learn to enjoy what she likes without worrying about what other people like. Jack learns some lessons about being a friend – and being honest—as well. This adventure has 9 chapters and is the main focus of the book. It’s followed by two short adventures, both featuring Berry Rose, first in a Live Action Role Playing (LARPing) game and then with all their friends playing Valley of Runes.
up before a classical concert and becomes inspired to play the instrument themself. With solid support from their family, Tate joins their school’s orchestra and attends the eponymous summer camp to improve their skills. Despite its intimidating name, the camp welcomes young players of all levels.
This book is as sweet and fluffy as its main character, Cloud Puppy, not to mention her friends.
